Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1887-04-24


Ewes sinss Grover Cleveland entered
upon Ne duties Of bis ss,ce be has
seemed 10 Be imhusd With tins idea that
hiS patriotism vas Of = higher order,
bic devotion 10 duty more sincere. and
bis honesty of purpose more unques-
tionable. than haA hitherto been known
In The annals Of the country. One Of
he hFss declarations vas 10 the effect
that be considered IL ''iil-advissd and
not II aoooEdancs With the spirit Of
American institutions" for Q President
10 serve more than ons term. Such q |
statement must be regarded a. pre-
sumpsisus IN the extreme, viewed in the
Light Of history and taken in connection
with the fact thaa Washington, il FER
sou, Lincoln and Grant, men Of devoted
patriotism aud Of unquessioned intee-
Fity and ability, aud Who did mere for
the American people and for American
institutions than any other four men
Who ever lived, thought differently and
saw nsthing M American 10 accepting
reelection al the hands Of q grateful
and apprsoiative people. The truth Of
the matter is that Cleveland at the very
outset distFusted his own ability, and
recognizing bis inexpeFience and his un-
fitness for the duties Of the Presidency,
sought TO discount failure and lessen
the humiliation that be fels was sure to
come By disavowine desire fer a SEQ
end term. Il IL . weak man who de-
clinss an honor before 10 lie profsred,
and short sighted one who crosses q
bridge before be reaches II.
In recent interview We ind him re-
iteratiDg his deciination and avow-
tnR with emphasis his intention
not to accspt q renomipatioH.
We fancy that this deelioation will
strike many Of the Democratic leaders
Who have become disguised with the
half-hearted and evasive policy Of the
President, 81 sapeEfluous. All men re-
specs political ally or opponent, who
has the courage Of his convictions, and
Who stands by the principles Of his
party and the men who elected him.
But IL Is impossible 10 respect man
Who, under cloak Of hypocritieal re-
gard fer principles, which be is secretly
violating every day, attempts to pose as
reformer. When We analyEs she rea-
sous that Cleveland gives for not wish
ing q denomination they are in them.
selves q lamentable confession Of weak.
ness. He 10 reported IS saying: every
thing ! do, every appointment l make
they thick is to secure reelection. On
the contrary. | am counting the days
that remain until my release from Office,
Just as II | we're prisoner in eonfine-
msnt." IL il possible2 Gan ID be that
We have waited till nov to find man 80
pure. 50 sensitive, and 80 high minded
that be onds the sx Alted position Of
Chief Magistrate Of the United States
absolutely unendnrable2 Hitherto 70
has been the experiences that high
minded statesmen and patriots have
felt hcnored to occupy the position that
Mr.. Cleveland n0v finds 90 irksome,
and these men, We doubt not. would
have spurned TO Iiken themselves to
prisoners in confinement" A man Of
true nobility Of purpose would soorn
misrepresentation, and q man Of real
ability wsuld not have 30 admit bis in
capacity for bis duties by so humiliat.
ing confession.
Again the report runs ''the President
proceeded 10 speak Of the exaotiaR and
laeorious duties vhich fell TO the in
camhent Of she Presidential Office when
The functions Of the Presidency are ad-
ministered With such minute faithful
nsss e. be has brough, 10 the position"
"Nc man." he said, could endure the
strain Of such labor, at onse physical
and mental, for . lsneer period than
four years without the risk Of perma
nent injury 10 his hselth.n This, in
deed, IL true modssty! The onIs ain.
Guilty with the stAssrhent IL thai Mr..
Cleveland does not consider that soms
nsR trained In public Affairs and With
broader inielleoss have done and can do
again those things which be considers
impossible. The IsnR and short Of the
matter Is that Mr.. Cleveland stepped
into the Presidency without the pre-
limiAaFy training or the natural qaalia
cations that the high position demands
He appreciated this fast when be irs,
dselined in advance second term, and
Il report be trae, be emphasizes ft
nov when he practically admits his in